suggestions for next album

[Star_Ocean]

I want a gigantic orchestra in the next album. I want a huge, epic feel, while still maintaining the new prog-like elements from Polaris.

Oh, and more backing vocals. Lots of backing vocals. xP

[Star_Ocean]

Since everyone will have different opinions, just explore ideas the band members have and please your own needs for musical expression. It’s metal so there will always be overdramatic people that say things like "There was a guitarist in Polaris?" and have a overdeveloped hate for fans favorites.

Apparently you don't know what a joke is. There is an online dictionary if you need to look up the word "joke." =\

[icecab21]

I know the first part was a joke from you, but others actually take that seriously, just take a look at how fans of other metal genres comment about the album. Is your hatred of the fans favorites here such as winter skies a joke? In your faux review you gave it a bad review without any reasons as an explanation and you have continued to be a drama queen about the song here at the forum. Good if you are having fun with it all.

[Aldaron]

I have no idea how you compute the guitar/keyboard ratio. Please explain!!

I felt that Strato was always a somewhat keyboard heavy band, but we never went overboard.

I still maintain that the guitar/keyboard ratio of Polaris is within the range of the other stuff, ie, it's Stratovarius so it's melodic and slightly symphonic power metal, and harmonically and ideationally it has keyboard stuff that augments and supports the stuff that goes on in the guitar and bass plane of harmony (which all should support the vocal melody and basic pulse of the drums)

I readily admit I have no way to compute such a ratio..

Got to agree with your thoughts on the keyboards. I think
Polaris is right in line with this nebulous keyboard to guitar ratio that is difficult to define. All I would add is that there doesn't need to be less keyboards, I'm just so intrigued by Mattias's skill and style that I'd like to hear more of it, but I don't think you need less keyboards to add it. I know we haven't heard all this guy can do and I'm anxious to see what more he can add. I think that could be the key element to evolving and expanding the Strato sound without any need to subtract from it.

Fascinating word you utilized there (in bold). Not often seen, but definitely hits the nail on the head.

[Ragehead91]

I never said there was no guitarist on Polaris. I just said that I want more lead guitars and less lead-keyboards. This is my problem with Polaris. I don't like the way they use him as Rythm guitarist on most of the song. I would like to see him get more leads and really show of his skills. Jens and Tolkki managed to get a nice mix of that and they never had any big problems of playing that life.

And okay, ratio may be the wrong word, but I hope you get what I mean.

[icecab21]

There are always those German metal bands that just have guitar bass drums and vocal and put similar low tuned riffs for every song in their 30-year catalog.

[AGAG]

Well, I think it's kind of pointless to discuss about some of the stuff you guys are fucking each other about, whatever the fuck they decide to do with the keyboard/guitar radio, it's up to them, I actually think that Matias would have said anything if he felt the album needed more guitar stuff for a change, other than that, I actually like Strato's originality when it comes to instruments, since it's one of the few bands around that actually emphasizes on keyboard stuff, and oh boy it's good..., which, being myself a crappy keyplayer, I highly appreciate and I wouldn't like them to change in that aspect.

However, something I'd really like them to change... it's the fucking lyrics, I mean, positivism is some of the things I really don't like, given the crappy state of things in general, and that's why I don't like it to be in music that I listen to. I really hope that they make a turn around about this in the next album because I know Jens or ANY of the band members could make something really beautiful/abstract/poetic/meaningfull when it comes to lyrics and, personally, it's the only thing I hope they change. I really hope they make it a little bit more prog the next time.

[mayhem-for-all]

In my opinnion Jens don't listen to them.
Just keep doing what you all are doing with this.
I loved what you had with Polaris and only Improvement I can tell is that you need a real epic closer.

[icecab21]

A longer album, same cd size, but a longer duration.

[HinatAArcticA]

My sugestion is simmple.
Don't try to sound like the old Stratovarius.
The chorus for "Forever is Today" almost sounds
to me like the chorus from "I'm still alive", which
sounds like the chorus from "Find your own voice", that's what I belive.
"When Mountains Fall" is just too obvious that the new Strato wanted a new "Forever" and that's sad I think.

In the other hand, songs like "Deep Unknown" and "Winter Skies" feel fresh, different and truly amazing.
I think there's no need to go back to the roots. The band will allways do some fast songs, and some not that fast. ¿Why go back to the old sound? that would be just like the DragonForce albums, which are all the same. I vote for new sounds and new music. Coming from the band, I know the would not dissapoint us.
Tobias Sammet once said: "Not to compose new things for being afraid of loosing fans is the worse thing to do for a band" and I couldn't agree more. I think the band should aim for new sounds, that would be fresh and powerfull like "Deep Unknown".

My Thougts

[Ragehead91]

Tobias Sammet once said: "Not to compose new things for being afraid of loosing fans is the worse thing to do for a band"

I never really understood what's so bad about that. Why? Why not stick to a winning formular? Why take the risk of loosing fans and money, which you need to make your living, by trying something new which always has the chance to fail? It maybe not creative, but as long as the bands can make good music with that formular and keep their fanbase happy, why change it? I would be more than happy with another Visions, Episode, Destiny or Infinite!

[icecab21]

Don't try and sound like anything, if you do sound like something, don't worry. Let the music flow and become what it becomes.

[mayhem-for-all]

"When Mountains Fall" is just too obvious that the new Strato wanted a new "Forever" and that's sad I think.

oh Come On.
This was already discussed a lot and I think Lauri turned those thoughts the other way around.
Just go read that thread.

and just for your information they didin't try anything.

[JensJohansson]

I have no idea how the new record will sound, but we will apply the same process as last time. We jokingly now refer to it as democrazy.

If we could get Polaris written and recorded under those conditions (using "democrazy") I don't worry much about the next one. Democrazy was the big experiment and almost to my surprise, it worked great.

[ conditions: main songwriter left, heavily in debt, had to find amazing guitar player, recording self financed album with no deal in place at even more risk, sleeping on floors for six months, bla bla bla anyway you heard it all before and who cares ]

[shg]

It is interesting to read this discussion. I should not even really comment because my own knowledge of Stratovarius music is very narrow. Polaris is the first Stratovarius album what I have really listened.

I understand that many old friends of Stratovarius miss "the good old days". However, we have the old songs still exist, they do not disappear even though the new material comes. This new material sounds very much Stratovarius.

I am thinking that it is a great wealth of the band to reform. It certainly helps the band members' motivation to work (I guess??). I like very much Polaris varying compared with the previous albums. I think that Tolkki's works resemble each other very much. This will certainly have all the composers in when you are doing a lot of music for a long time. For this reason, more of the composer's will just do what I appreciate. Polaris has two new composer in comparison with the previous albums.

And the best of all:

Democrazy was the big experiment and almost to my surprise, it worked great.

To the next album I want that there should be many composer and lyricist line. This will provide a versatile and attractive package. Instruments are good in this combination, I think so.

[RazielSR]

I have no idea how the new record will sound, but we will apply the same process as last time. We jokingly now refer to it as democrazy.

If we could get Polaris written and recorded under those conditions (using "democrazy") I don't worry much about the next one. Democrazy was the big experiment and almost to my surprise, it worked great.

[ conditions: main songwriter left, heavily in debt, had to find amazing guitar player, recording self financed album with no deal in place at even more risk, sleeping on floors for six months, bla bla bla anyway you heard it all before and who cares ]

Jens, just a question (if you can say something about it), is there an approximate release date? I mean, seems clear that it's gonna happen in 2010, my thoughts tells me between March / June, but can you say some approximate date? Or maybe it's too son?

It's wonderful if you plan to make albums each 1 - 2 years. Just like the golden era. Fantastic.

[shg]

I mean, seems clear that it's gonna happen in 2010, my thoughts tells me between March / June, but can you say some approximate date? Or maybe it's too soon.

Sorry, I am not Jens, but if you watch Stratovarius gig calendar! When the disc can be done?? MAYBE March/June is too soon...

[RazielSR]

Yes, but they said they have some songs/compositions etc, etc ...I mean, they are already working a little bit with the next album I think...

[Ragehead91]

So said Masterplan in 2008...

[mayhem-for-all]

It's wonderful if you plan to make albums each 1 - 2 years. Just like the golden era. Fantastic

Yes indeed.
an album every year is just great.

[shg]

Yes, but they said they have some songs/compositions etc, etc ...I mean, they are already working a little bit with the next album I think...

Album-making is needed, perhaps more effort than compositions and lyrics? Some studio time etc. etc.? Perhaps the March / June is a little too optimistic an estimate? I am too looking forward to great new music from a great band. Higher we gooooo!

[HinatAArcticA]

Tobias Sammet once said: "Not to compose new things for being afraid of loosing fans is the worse thing to do for a band"

I never really understood what's so bad about that. Why? Why not stick to a winning formular? Why take the risk of loosing fans and money, which you need to make your living, by trying something new which always has the chance to fail? It maybe not creative, but as long as the bands can make good music with that formular and keep their fanbase happy, why change it? I would be more than happy with another Visions, Episode, Destiny or Infinite!

Well, It's ok to stay with the same formula as long as you are not doing it just for fame and money. If your spirit feels like writing the same type of music, then it's ok. I can't feel any real feeling to the DragonForce music... is just fast fast fast.

But well, I forgot to add something very important to my other post. I have faith in the band. They have never dissapointed me. Not with Tolkki nor the new band. So, based on that faith I just know that whatever comes next will be a very nice piece of work as usual, I mean, it's just as simpple as saying "It's Stratovarius, what could possibly go wrong?"

[icecab21]

Dragonforce likes what they play and I don't think they make enough to be in it for the money. I also think the fact that they will do extensive tours in places where there are not as popular shows something about their work ethic and love of playing their music.

[Intiaani]

Well, I go with Sammet, although I didn't like his power/epic/melodic/heavy-stuff-turned-into-commercial heavy/rock/pop myself... NEVER go with the old formula just because it sells if you want changes. Be true to yourself so people will like it, or not. I appreciate a musician who dares to take the risks, who makes the stuff he wants to make at any time. It makes the artist stay enthusiastic on older age, too, and in best cases you can feel that energy on the album in the end. There are too many purists in us listeners for that to be financially wise every time nowadays, but still, that's the way, the only way I see, for truly making the best music. Devin Townsend's kinda doing this right now. Brave, indeed. Maybe some, if not all, of his Project's album will "nail it", since he's in it that fresh stuff for real.

Anyway, there are bands that have done the same thing for years and years, and always with interest. I don't wonder why Running Wild quit, since they existed for some 33 years and about 21 of these they did that pirate thing. And Tankard... gosh, just how fascinated a musician can be about tits and beer?

[Star_Ocean]

Is your hatred of the fans favorites here such as winter skies a joke? In your faux review you gave it a bad review without any reasons as an explanation and you have continued to be a drama queen about the song here at the forum. Good if you are having fun with it all.

No, I genuinely hate Winter Skies. So what? It's an opinion and I don't care if other people like it. I just hate the song. So much so that it's the only Stratovarius song that I do not have on my computer because I can't stand a single second of it.

And I gave several reasons why I didn't enjoy it too much, just as I gave a few reasons why I did enjoy some parts. You just cannot handle the fact that I dislike something you like, and therefore call it a "faux review." When, in fact, that review came from someone who not only majored in English (where you do an entire semester of how to do proper criticism of different medias), teaches it, but also WORKS on a Newspaper writing reviews and articles on various different things. I'm fairly certain I know what a review is.

But then again, I guess when you are a rabid fanboy who will do anything to get in a band member's pants, you're bound to be offended by something as pointless as an OPINION.

[icecab21]

Taking his place is rising guitar virtuoso Matias Kupiainen, a nerd ball youngling who physically matches the metal genre about as well as Tolkki would match the cover of Playboy.

This is a professional review? They teach this at college?

Jens Johansson is the composer for the three worst songs of the album (King of Nothing, Winter Skies, Blind). But this really has nothing to do with the instrumental composition, which is fairly decent. Instead, it has to do with the vocal composition, which is about as memorable as Saana: Warrior of Light. Remember that? Neither do we.

You just say if you think the songs are decent or not. You don't tell anything as to why you think they are decent or not. I don't care if you don’t like the songs, but I think a review should explain a song to a person that has not heard the song before and be more than just whether or not a reviewer liked the song. I said it’s a faux review because you don’t tell anything about the music and you don’t even tell what you are looking for in music. I think a review should give a picture of who the reviewer is and where the reviewer is coming from. Who is the "we" that you are referring to and are you talking with an audience that is even familiar with Saana? It seems the whole time you take jabs at Tolkki and the band members of stratovarius.

[lcecab21]

actually i take it all back i love the review I was just in a bad mood sorry guys

[Ragehead91]

Well, I go with Sammet, although I didn't like his power/epic/melodic/heavy-stuff-turned-into-commercial heavy/rock/pop myself... NEVER go with the old formula just because it sells if you want changes. Be true to yourself so people will like it[
/quote]
So in Sammet's case "being true to oneself" means act like you're John Bon Jovi?

[icecab21]

Bon jovi does not talk at all like sammet does nor does he perform like sammet does. Sammet writes his own music as well, just look at the songwriting credits for jovi; it’s filled with outside help and co written songs. It’s not very jovi like to write your own songs.

[Ragehead91]

If you listen to the last 2 albums, especially Tinnitus Sanctus, you will hear a strong Bon-Jovi influence. I'm not saying that it is 100% Bon-Jovi. You'll still hear that it is Edguy, but you can hear this very strong influence.

And okay, maybe Bon-Jovi is the wrong word. Let's say secret love child of Bon Jovi and David Lee Roth.